DA says he may charge alleged shotgun robber as adult

In a FOX 8 exclusive, Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro says he is considering charging a 16-year-old boy accused of pulling a shotgun on a man in the Marigny as an adult. Investigators think the teenager is behind at least three holdups in the area.

Police say the teenager, armed with a shotgun, turned himself in after three crimes that terrorized the Marigny. He's now in juvenile jail, but that could change soon.

"I would absolutely consider transferring a 16-year-old who wields a shotgun and puts it on someone in a public place and robs him. I would consider trying him as an adult and charge him in Criminal Court, as opposed to a juvenile," said Cannizzaro.

It all began Friday at 12:30 in the morning in the 800 block of Touro. Police say the juvenile suspect, accompanied by an unidentified man, pointed a shotgun and struck the victim three times as he attempted a robbery.

Then Saturday at 5:00 a.m., police say the teen stuck a shotgun in another victim's face, but that man got the upper hand, grabbed the shotgun and ran after the victim. He was approached a second time by the robber, who offered to trade the victim's cell phone for the shotgun. But the victim struck and shattered the suspect's rear window with the gun, causing the suspects to run off.

After seeing the video, another couple came forward and say they too were robbed by the same teen in the 800 block of Frenchman St.

While residents say the shotgun robberies were too close for comfort they say they can appreciate a victim who takes action at the point of a gun.

Two years ago, John Searles stopped a robber in the French Quarter. "He was so close, I thought the best I could do was grab the gun and drag him to the street."

The mother of the 16-year-old boy was also investigated in the Touro case for giving false information after she tried to make an insurance claim on her broken-out window. Police say it's not likely she will be charged, but the DA is looking into her possible involvement as well.

The gunman had an accomplice who police still want to find. If you have any information that could help them, please call NOPD or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.